Lu Jinchen stopped before a door at the end of the corridor. He knocked in a specific rhythm—two short taps, a pause, then one firm knock.
There was a brief silence before the door opened. They stepped inside quickly, and Lu Jinchen shut the door behind them. Xia Yuqing lifted her gaze and was surprised to see Rong Xi standing in the room.
Rong Xi's eyes swept over them instinctively. At first, she only saw Lu Jinchen holding the hand of a hunched, wrinkled old woman. Her brows furrowed in confusion.
Then her gaze shifted to Lu Jinchen's hand, firmly clasped around the old woman's. Something clicked.
She stared harder. Her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "…Xia?" she asked uncertainly. Her eyes widened as realization dawned.
"Xia… Xia Yuqing?"
Xia Yuqing's lips curved into a faint, quiet smile. It was not wide or bright, but it carried recognition, warmth, and something deeply reassuring. That alone was enough.
